While some nursing schools in Florida have been embroiled in controversy, there is no doubt that most of the state’s nursing programs are of high quality. The Master’s degrees offered by the University of South Florida, University of Miami, and Florida International University are ranked in the top 50 of the US News & World Report list, while the DNP programs offered by Florida State, University of Florida, and University of Miami are 26th and 31st (tie) respectively.
If you’re thinking of becoming a nurse practitioner either through an MSN or DNP degree, or for specific NP programs such as FNP, AGNP, or PNP’s then here are the academic options you have in the sunny state of Florida:
Program Overview:
As a Seventh-day Adventist institution, AdventHealth University is part of the 45 hospital campuses run by the said organization. True to its mission of molding movers and shakers who have the drive and compassion, the university specializes in providing quality healthcare education, such as that of Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.
Its Department of Nursing offers part-time and full-time Associates, BSN, MSN, DNP, and Certification programs, all available through a blend of in-person and online classes.
Program Overview:
Barry University in Miami Shores, FL is a private Catholic institution that has groomed professional nurses for almost 65 years. As shown by its religious affiliation, its School of Nursing is committed to training nurses who value diversity and individual choice through transformative educational experiences.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1887, Florida A&M University is a historically black college and university based in Tallahassee, Florida. Its School of Nursing is deemed the oldest continuing baccalaureate Nursing program in the country, having been established in 1904 as a hospital-based program. Since its inception, the school has fostered a student-centered environment that allows it to produce innovative yet caring nurses.
Program Overview:
Nestled in Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University first opened its doors in 1961. Eighteen years after its founding, it launched its nursing program under the College of Social Sciences. Currently, such programs are housed under a standalone College of Nursing named after benefactor Christine E. Lynn.
The college’s MSN degree is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to become either an AGPCNP, FNP, or PMHNP.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1991, the Fort Myers-based Florida Gulf Coast University is home to the Marieb College School of Nursing. It is recognized as one of the top 10 programs in the state, having a 100% employment rate and stellar first-time certification passing rates. It offers multiple options for BSN and MSN holders who wish to become FNPs or PMHNPs.
Program Overview:
Florida International University (FIU) was established in 1965. Now, it is the eighth-largest public university in the country. It houses the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences, which is headquartered in the Maidique campus in Southwest Miami. The college is currently recognized as one of the 50 best grad schools for Nursing by US News & World report.
FIU’s graduate nursing program offers concentrations in AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP, and PPCNP.
Program Overview:
The Florida National University in Hialeah is a private university that first opened its doors in 1982. Formerly known as Computech Institution, it has come a long way from offering technological programs. Currently, it offers healthcare degrees, such as an online MSN program where students can work towards becoming AGCNPs, FNPs, or PMHNPs.
Program Overview:
Chartered in 1851, Florida State University sits on the state’s oldest site of continuous higher education (Tallahassee). Its College of Nursing, which was established less than a century later, takes pride in its educational, clinical, and research opportunities. It has posted a 95.41% NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2023, while several of its graduate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Its DNP program, which offers five specialization tracks, is listed as the 26th best in the nation by the US World & News Report.
Program Overview:
Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL is a private university that has been ranked as one of the schools for value, undergraduate teaching, and innovation by the US News & World Report.
Its School of Nursing, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, boasts of a 90 percentile NCLEX pass rate. It also has a 100% placement rate, which is made possible by its 500+ hours of clinical and simulation classes.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1965 as the Herzing Institute, the now-Herzing University is headquartered in Wisconsin. It has campuses in Orlando and Tampa, Florida, however, most of its Nursing programs are offered online. Its MSN program, which is designed for RNs and non-nurses, is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Higher Learning Commission.
Program Overview:
Jacksonville University is a private institution founded in 1934. It is home to the Keigwin School of Nursing, which opened in 1983 in response to the chronic shortage of nurses in the city. Driven by the acronym CARE: clinical excellence, advocacy, respect, and equity, the school offers traditional and accelerated undergraduate BSN programs. It also hosts MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate programs that pave the way to three NP specializations.
Program Overview:
Opened in 1997, Keiser University is a private institution with campuses in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. It opened in response to the growing need for business and healthcare professionals. The latter is reflected in its College of Nursing, which is ranked as one of the best colleges for Nursing by the US News & World Report. It offers Associates, BSN, MSN, and DNP programs, which are delivered through flexible small classes that students may take one at a time.
Program Overview:
For 25 years, the Miami Regional University in Miami Springs, FL has been offering Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degrees in various disciplines. Its School of Nursing, which is recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, has an impressive NCLEX passing rate of 98.5% and an MSN passing rate of 94%.
Program Overview:
Based in Davie, Nova Southeastern University is a private university with 14 colleges. It is home to the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, which is ranked as one of the best nursing schools in Florida by collegefactual.com. Its BSN and graduate nursing programs are recognized by the US News & World Report as well.
Program Overview:
Situated in West Palm Beach, the Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU) is a private Christian institution established in 1968. It has nine colleges, one of which is the School of Nursing. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, PBAU produces excellent nurses with the help of its state-of-the-art resources, internship programs, and service trips.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1900 as the Rasmussen Practical School of Business, the now-Rasmussen University has campuses throughout the state of Florida. Its nursing programs, however, are offered online and have eight start dates a year, thus providing flexibility to working nurses. Its Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner and post-graduate certification program has four specialization tracks available, namely AGPCNP, FNP, PPCNP, and PMHNP.
Program Overview:
Formerly known as Biscayne College, the St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL is ranked as one of the best regional universities in the south by US News & World Report. Its College of Health Sciences & Technology, which oversees BSN and online MSN programs, is known for its experiential learning curricula, dedicated faculty, and various research opportunities.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1853, the Orlando-based University of Central Florida is a public institution with the fourth-largest student body in the country. Its College of Nursing, which has been producing excellent nurses for 40 years (and counting), has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of the best schools for BSN, DNP, and online graduate nursing programs. It’s also the first school in Florida to offer an RN to BSN degree and an online Ph.D. for nurse-scientists.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1853 as the East Florida Seminary, the University of Florida has been operating on its Gainesville campus since 1906. As the state’s ‘preeminent university’, it is home to the esteemed College of Nursing, which is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Education by the National League of Nursing. It is ranked in the top 4% and 10% of baccalaureate and graduate degree-awarding nursing schools in the US and was the first school to offer an NP program in Florida.
Program Overview:
Based in Coral Gables, FL, the University of Miami is a private institution that offers nursing programs through its School of Nursing & Health Studies. Historically, it was the first to offer a collegiate nursing program in South Florida when it opened in 1948.
Its MSN and DNP programs are highly ranked by the US News & World Report. The school has also posted nearly-perfect rates in the NCLEX-RN and NP certification exams.
- BSN – DNP AGACNP Track
- BSN – DNP AGPCNP Track
- BSN – DNP FNP Track
- MSN – AGNP Acute Care Program
- MSN – AGNP Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program
- MSN – FNP Program
- Post-Master’s Certificate, AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate, AGPCNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate, FNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Program Overview:
Located on a 1,300-acre campus in Jacksonville, the University of North Florida is home to the Brooks College of Health Sciences. The school’s primary goal is to prepare effective nurses through clinical and experiential education, which is reflected in its notable NCLEX pass rates. Its DNP program, which has two specialization tracks, is ranked number 1 in the state by Nursing Degree’s rankings of Best Nursing Schools.
Program Overview:
Established in 1956, the Tampa-based University of South Florida is home to a well-respected College of Nursing. In fact, US News & World Report ranks it as one of the best schools that offer BSN, DNP, and DNP in Nurse Anesthesiology programs. After all, it remains true to its goal of producing nurses who exhibit innovation, excellence, compassion, and respect.
Program Overview:
The University of Tampa is a private institution established in 1931 as the Tampa Junior College.
Its Nursing Department, which is overseen by the College of Health & Natural Sciences, offers BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certification programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In 2019, it was named the Best Nursing program by RegisteredNursing.org, owing to its rigorous curriculum and historically high NCLEX pass rates.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1979 as the Institute of Physical Therapy, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is a private institution owned by Altas Partners. Its School of Nursing, which only offers graduate programs, is famous for its 100% clinical placement rate and 95% first-time FNP certification passing rate for 2022. Its MSN program offers tracks for budding AGCNPs, FNPs, and PMHNPs, while its DNP is designed for nurses who want to become FNPs or Nurse Executives.
Program Overview:
The University of West Florida is a public research university that sits on a 1,600-acre campus in Pensacola. It was founded in 1963 and hosts the Ushu Kundu, MD College of Health, which houses the School of Nursing. The school offers baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In 2022, its MSN program was recognized as one of the top online nursing programs by Princeton Review.
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